WORCESTER – Lorraine A. Brown, formerly of Woodstock, Conn., died on Oct. 1 at the Knollwood Nursing Center in West Boylston, Mass. She was 83.
Lorraine was born Anna Lorraine Brown but preferred calling herself by her middle name. She was born in Butler, PA to Clarence and Anna (Stanko) Brown (later Anne Ehrman). She grew up in Butler and later lived in Stamford, CT and then for 30 years in Norwalk, CT before moving to Woodstock. She spent the last 17 years in Worcester.
For many years she worked assembling printed circuit boards for United Technologies. Since her retirement, Lorraine enjoyed antiquing and decorating her home, especially for holidays. The many crocheted blankets and crafted Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls she made are treasured keepsakes. She loved children and especially spending time with the light of her life, her grandson Mark.
A talented cook and baker, she liked nothing better than feeding friends and family. Learning to drive and buying her first car at age 40 gave her the freedom to reimagine herself and move to Woodstock to be closer to her grandson.
A survivor of a stroke brought on by diabetes in 2000 that left her partially paralyzed, Lorraine tried hard not to let that slow her down and was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Robert Hanacek, his wife, Jeanette of Dudley, her grandson Mark Hannon, and his wife Sarah and great grandson, Gabe of Voluntown, Conn.; her sisters: Margaret Brown of Tennessee, Donna O’Neill (and her husband, James) of New York City, Edna Gelman (and her husband, Shel) of Westport, Conn., half-sister Jean Hudson of Westlake, Ohio, and a loving extended family of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, Charles Brown, sister, Shirley Gurliacci and step-sister Shirley Brewer.
Services will be private. In keeping with her giving spirit, it was her wish to gift her body to the UMass Medical School. In Lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202 or (800)-342-2383.
Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. Worcester is assisting with arrangements. To share a memory or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.Royfuneral.com